The Basics of ECR
What is Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR)?
People with differing views and interests working together in a systematic and organized way to find workable solutions to shared
problems about environmental issues.
What kinds of problems? Some examples:
-
Managing public lands for people to use and enjoy in different ways ... such as planning how a National Forest can serve future
needs for watershed protection, timber harvesting and recreation
-
Natural resources disputes ... for instance, fairly allocating rights to use water, timber or mineral resources
-
Conflicts over facilities siting ... like where to locate highways, dams, power lines or wind farms
-
Protected area disagreements ... for example, managing recreational uses while still protecting a sensitive natural
area in a park
-
Endangered species issues ... for instance, how to implement protective actions that are required to prevent the extinction of
a species
-
Federal and Tribal government relations ... such as how to respect tribal sovereignty and protect sacred sites when planning or
implementing projects
-
Disputes related to pollution ... for instance how to best implement air, water or soil contamination cleanup activities
Does it always work?
-
Not always. ECR may not work when ...
- Resolving the issue doesn't seem that important to key stakeholders
- When one or more key parties have other avenues to better achieve their interests
- Not everyone involved agrees that there is conflict
-
ECR works best when ...
- Issues are high priority to all parties
- All affected stakeholders are willing and able to participate
- No single party can resolve the situation on its own
- Outcomes are genuinely in question
Will it work for me? We can help you answer that question. As a public agency, we are available to assist all parties involved in
federal environmental disputes.
Call us.